SWOG-9208 Quality of Life and Health Status in Patients With Stage I or Stage II Hodgkin's Disease

Health Status and Quality of Life in Patients With Early Stage Hodgkin's Disease: A Companion Study to SWOG-9133

RATIONALE: Quality-of-life assessment in patients undergoing cancer treatment may help determine the intermediate- and long-term effects of treatment on patients with cancer.

PURPOSE: This clinical trial studies the impact of therapy on the health status and quality of life of patients with stage I or stage II Hodgkin's disease who are receiving radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy.

OBJECTIVES: I. Evaluate prospectively the health status and quality of life of patients with Stage I/IIA Hodgkin's disease randomized on protocol SWOG-9133 (CLB-9391) to treatment with subtotal nodal irradiation with vs. without 3 courses of doxorubicin/vinblastine. II. Describe the short-term effects of these treatments on these patients and compare their impact on quality of life (i.e., patient symptom status, health status, fatigue). III. Evaluate the intermediate and long-term effects of these treatments on these patients and compare their impact on quality-of-life outcomes over 5 years.

OUTLINE: Quality-of-Life Assessment. Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System Short Form, CARES-SF; Symptom and Personal Information Questionnaire (including Symptom Distress Scale, MOS SF-36 Fatigue Scale, MOS SF-36 Health Perception Rating, Demographics); Cover Sheet.

PROJECTED ACCRUAL: Approximately 500 patients will be accrued over 7 years.

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS: Patients must be eligible for and registered to SWOG-9133

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Patients must be able to complete the questionnaires in English. If they are not able to complete questionnaires in English, patients may be registered to SWOG-9133 without participating in SWOG-9208.

The Symptom and Personal Information Questionnaire #1, the Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System Short Form (CARES-SF) and Cover Sheet must be completed prior to registration and randomization on SWOG-9133.